FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE  

For Information Contact:                Margaret T. Burns
  
                                                   Chief, Communications & Governmental Affairs
                                                      Office(443)984-1121
                                                       
                                                      Cell Phone (443) 474-7479
                                                       Fax Phone (410) 637-3172
  
                                                                    or
  
                                                   Joseph Sviatko, Public Information Officer
  
                                                   Office (443) 984-1122
  
                                                   Cell (410) 790-3248

PRESS RELEASE 

BALTIMORE CITY GRAND JURY RETURNS AN INDICTMENT CHARGING POLICE OFFICER BRENT ALLEN GATES WITH FELONY THEFT AND MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE
 

            Baltimore, MD -- July 28, 2004 -- State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy announced today that the Baltimore City Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Baltimore City police officer Brent Allen Gates, 30, of Essex, Maryland, with one count of felony theft and one count of Misconduct in Office. 

            If convicted of felony theft Gates could receive a maximum sentence of 15 years and a $25,000.00 fine or both.  Misconduct in Office is a common law offense, which means, if convicted of that count, Gates could be sentenced to whatever period of incarceration a judge deems fair and reasonable. 

The indictment stems from a complaint made by Tony Julius Robinson, Jr. of Baltimore City on June 2, 2004 alleging that Gates failed to return $1,400.00 that was seized during the course of a routine traffic stop in the 2300 block of Ashland Avenue in Baltimore City. 

Gates is currently suspended with pay.  He will be arraigned on October 18, 2004 before Judge John Glynn, 236 Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse, 110 N. Calvert Street.  Assistant State’s Attorney A. Thomas Krehely, Jr., Chief of the Police Misconduct Division, will prosecute this case.                                                               

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